Underground conduit.



PATENTED AUG. 1. L905.

' H. T. CRAVEN.

UNDERGROUND GONDUIT.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 24,1904.

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PATENTED AUG. 1. 1905.

H. T. CRAVEN UNDERGROUND OONDUIT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24,1904.

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W. Claw HENRY T. CRAVEN, OF VINELAND, NEW'JERSEY.

UNDERGROUND CON DUIT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1, 1905.

Application filed May 24:, 1904. erial No. 209,582.

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Be it known that l, HENRY T. CRAVEN, a subject of the King of England, and a resident of Vineland, in the county of Cumberland and State of New Jersey, have made a certain new and useful Invention in Underground Conduits; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the invention,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a section on the line 1 1, Fig. 2, and partly broken away. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. t is a perspective view, partly in section.

The invention relates to conduits for underground electric traction and other cognate purposes; and it consists in the novel construction and combinations of parts, as hereinafter set forth. 7

The work can be done in stone or brick; but it is preferable to make it on the spot in concrete.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention, the letter a designates the foundation layer, having at points along its length transverse abutments e on the outside to brace the outer wall 6, which extends the length of the conduit, being, however, provided with outlets at t for drainage. The inside of this wall has a concave curvature in its upper middle portion, its lower face portion o being inclined downward and backward and its upper portion having an inward-projecting face, as at m. The top of this wall extends to the paving-surface. Back of this outside wall are the front pillars c, which are arranged in series along the conduit length. Each of these pillars is provided witha downwardand outward inclined outer face a, which forms, with the face 1) of the wall 6, a trolley-groove s and a tapering seat for a wedge-form rest or bearing It for the conductor. This opening 8 communicates with the passages of the structure between the pillars 0 and through the wall 6 for drainage.

The pillars c extend upward from the foundation layer to about the height of the inclined portion of the wall 5, and their back faces are usually vertical, as indicated at w. In rear of these pillars c are placed the pillars f,

which are separated from the pillars a transversely by an interval g in order to provide a conduit for cables or other conductors. The inner face of the pillar-f is usually vertical and its back face inclined from above downward and outward. Against the back faces of the pillars f is placed the back or guard wall d, which is preferably of flagging. Upon the tops of the pillars 0 and f rest the caps e, which support the plinth-sections 7c.

The cap 1) for a third track-rail r for frictional or traction purposes rests on the plinthsections, and its face 3 projects outward and upward to correspond with the opposite wall m of the wall I) and form therewith a narrow slot 02 for the stem of a trolley. The cap 2 is recessed longitudinally to receive the rail, as indicated at 6, the rail being secured to the cap and plinth-sections by means of bolts 7.

The rear faces of the caps and plinth-sections are beveled to correspond with the inclination of the back faces of the pillars f and are laid flush therewith in order that the back or guard wall d shall fit neatly in position against the same. The top of the rail-cap and that of the back or guard wall are designed to be level with the paving-surface.

The edges of the parts p and b, forming the margins of cable-slot, may be beveled to provide a longitudinal seat for a longitudinallyextended strip of rubber, forming a flexible cover 2 over any portion of the conductorway. This flexible cover is designed to be of angular form on the bottom and flat on top. When the trolley comes to this protected portion of the way, the flexible cover is lifted by the pivoted tongue 9 and taken upon the antifriction-wheel 8, said wheel being in a loop of the trolley-stem, which passes easily under the cover, leaving it in position.

The trolley-grooves is widened in its upper middle portion sufficiently to provide all requisite play for the trolley-wheel and narrowing gradually below this portion forms a suitable seat for the bearings of the conductor. Its drainage through the passages hereinbefore described is ample. tively limited width, so that the structural embodiment is capable of being made solid and strong.

Having described the invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. A conduit for electric conductors consisting of a foundation layer, the front and It is of compara and having passages for drainage between said pillars, substantially as specified.

4. In a conduit structure, the deep narrow trolley groove or way tapering toward its bottom and provided with beveled slot-margins forming a seat for a flexible slot-cover, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY T. CRAVEN.

Witnesses:

ROYAL P. TULLER, HARRY S. POWELL. 

